New Dragon’s Den star Steve Parish quits the show FIVE days after signing up for the new series

BBC have already replaced the departing Dragon

By Jon Hornbuckle

27th April 2017,5:20 pm

DRAGON’S Den has suffered a huge setback before the series has even begun as newcomer Steve Parish has sensationally quit.

It was only last week that the businessman – who is chairman and part-owner of Crystal Palace Football Club, as well as a former CEO of the brand-building powerhouse Tag Worldwide – was announced to be joining the popular show.

Steve Parish has quit his Dragon’s Den role before filming has even begun

In a statement, Steve revealed how the time commitments of the show were what forced him to pull out.

He said: “On reflection, I have come to the conclusion that I couldn’t give Dragon’s Den the time and commitment the show needs and that the entrepreneurs deserve. Therefore I have decided to give up my Dragons’ seat to someone else.”

Luckily it didn’t take the BBC long to find a replacement. The Beeb have confirmed that Tej Lalvani, CEO of Vitabiotics, will now replace Parish on the Dragon’s Den panel.

He’ll be joined by fellow newcomer Jenny Campbell and show regulars Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Touker Suleyman.

Lalvani has said: “I’m very excited to be joining the Dragon’s Den line-up… I’m a shrewd investor and I’m looking forward to finding hard-working, passionate people to share my business experience and knowledge with.”

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